Poor Jeremiah had a few problems. He was probably inbred (mother x son) and certainly had webbed toes and failing eyesight. When he moved to London Zoo he had difficulty initially finding his way around the enclosure.
He had a bad background too, having been handraised and with little gorilla companionship during his early life so he was socially deprived and didn't breed. He never looked in very good health either as he had frequent colds and a permanent mucus discharge from his nose. He died at Belfast at a young age, probably because he was in such poor physical shape.
He was mixed with other gorillas sometimes when they could do so,- the problem was they had an acute sortage of females and didn't know what to do with him really. He always had the runny nose. After Daniel died he was kept with all three of Diana, Eva & Asante for a short while but I think he was frightened of them. I also noticed his hands were bitten, probably from fighting with them.
Life got better at London & finally Belfast for him, as he did have permanent (gorilla) company but he was never going to be a breeder after his early lack of socialisation.
In what is now the Nocturnal House. The three outdoor areas( Kea, Red Panda & Bats) occupy the footprint of the old outdoor areas for three Ape species. Traces of the dens can be seen in the walls/doors of some of the interior exhibits such as the AyeAye enclosure.
